About this product

Hart's Tongue Fern

Asplenium scolopendrium

Supplied in a 1.5L pot

Plant Highlights: Distinctive evergreen strap-shaped fronds • Native hardy fern • Excellent for shaded gardens • Year-round texture and structure • Low-maintenance woodland plant

Overview

Asplenium scolopendrium, commonly known as Hart's Tongue Fern, is a distinctive evergreen fern native to Ireland and much of Europe. Unlike the finely divided fronds of many ferns, it produces glossy, undivided, strap-shaped fronds that create bold architectural interest throughout the year. Its rich green foliage provides lasting texture and structure, making it an excellent choice for shaded planting where reliable evergreen interest is valued.

This adaptable woodland fern thrives in cool, sheltered positions and is particularly effective beneath trees, alongside shrubs or in shaded borders. It also performs well in outdoor containers placed in partial or full shade, bringing year-round colour and elegant form to patios, courtyards and entranceways where sunlight is limited.

Why We Love It

• Distinctive undivided fronds create bold architectural interest.

• Evergreen foliage provides year-round colour and structure.

• Native to Ireland and well suited to local growing conditions.

• Thrives in shaded gardens where many flowering plants struggle.

• Requires very little routine maintenance once established.

Plant Details

Growing Guide

Position

Plant in partial or full shade in a sheltered location protected from drying winds. It is particularly effective beneath trees and shrubs, in woodland gardens or along shaded pathways.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist while the plant establishes. Once established, maintain consistent moisture during prolonged dry spells, but avoid waterlogged conditions.

Soil

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained neutral to alkaline soil enriched with organic matter. An annual mulch of leaf mould or garden compost helps retain moisture and improve soil structure.

Hardiness and Winter Care

Hardy in most Irish gardens (RHS H6). The evergreen fronds provide winter interest, although older foliage may become weathered before fresh fronds emerge in spring.

Routine Care

Remove damaged or tired fronds in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Little additional maintenance is required.

Perfect For

• Woodland gardens.

• Shaded borders.

• Underplanting trees and shrubs.

• Courtyard gardens.

• Outdoor containers in cool, shaded positions.

Good to Know

Although this product is listed within an indoor category, Hart's Tongue Fern is a hardy outdoor fern and is best grown in the garden or in sheltered outdoor containers rather than as a permanent houseplant.

Product Information

• Supplied in a 1.5L pot.

• Evergreen hardy fern.

• Suitable for partial or full shade.

• Ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders and outdoor containers.